Luna Lucky

3

Something New

For the first time in years, I decided to let my guard down—just a little. Maybe it was the warmth in his mismatched eyes or the way his words stumbled earlier, unpolished yet sincere. There was something about him that made me feel… safe. A feeling I wasn’t sure I trusted, but one I couldn’t ignore. And so, I followed him to the small diner down the street, curiosity outweighing hesitation.

The hum of conversation and the faint smell of coffee and grease greeted us as we stepped inside. He held the door open for me, his hand bracing the frame as though steadying the moment. When I walked through, his lips curved into a soft smile—hopeful and boyish, despite the ruggedness of his features.

“Anywhere you like,” he said, his voice steady but quiet, as though trying to give me the reins.

I chose a booth near the window, drawn to the muted glow of the streetlights outside. He followed, sliding into the seat across from me. His movements were relaxed, but his gaze lingered, studying me like I was a puzzle he wanted to figure out. A waitress appeared, handing us menus and pouring coffee, but I noticed how his attention stayed on me, not the menu in his hands.

“Do you come here often?” I asked cautiously.

He smirked, leaning forward slightly. “Not really. But it felt like the kind of place you’d pick.”

His boldness caught me off guard, but there was a sincerity in his voice that softened the words. “You don’t even know me,” I said, raising an eyebrow.

“Not yet,” he said, his lips twitching into a confident smile. “But I’d like to.”

Getting to Know Him

Conversation started slow, the words cautious, but his presence made it easier. He leaned in slightly, his mismatched eyes fixed on me with an intensity that felt… protective, as if he wanted to understand me completely.

“So,” I asked, breaking the silence. “What’s your name?”

A faint smile tugged at his lips, and he let the moment stretch before answering. “Will.”

“Will,” I repeated, testing the name. It felt steady, like something that didn’t waver.

“And you?” he prompted, his voice smooth, but there was an undercurrent of command in it—gentle but impossible to ignore.

“Lucky,” I said after a pause.

His smile grew instantly, his expression brightening like I’d just handed him the missing piece to something important. “Lucky,” he repeated, savoring the word. “That fits.”

“It’s just a name,” I said, brushing it off.

He shook his head, leaning closer. “No. Lucky is exactly what you are. Anyone who knows you is lucky to have you in their life. Trust me—I know I am.”

Heat rose to my cheeks, and I looked away, unsure how to respond. His words felt heavy with meaning, a declaration wrapped in a lighthearted delivery.

Perfect Company

The conversation grew easier, flowing like it had always been meant to. Will told me about his life—odd jobs, long days, and a stubborn streak that kept him chasing every opportunity. There was quiet pride in his voice when he spoke about his work, though he downplayed it constantly.

“Sounds like you’ve got your hands full,” I said, sipping my coffee.

He shrugged, his lips curving into a playful smile. “Keeps me busy. What about you?”

I hesitated, unsure how much to share. “I just started working at the dollar store,” I said finally.

His smile widened, his eyes softening in a way that made my chest ache. “I bet you’re better at it than you think.”

“You don’t even know me,” I said, though the words lacked their usual sharpness.

“Not yet,” he admitted, his tone light but sure. “But I can tell. You’ve got this quiet strength about you. The kind people don’t notice until they see you for who you really are.”

His words settled deep, breaking through the walls I didn’t realize I was holding up. For the first time in a long while, I didn’t feel the need to defend myself.

The Rooftop Date Proposal

The next day at work, I was finishing restocking shelves when I heard his voice behind me.

“Lucky,” Will said, leaning against the counter. That same easy smile tugged at his lips, but his mismatched eyes held something deeper—something that made my stomach twist in anticipation. “Got a second?”

I turned, raising an eyebrow. “What are you doing here?”

“Shopping,” he said, holding up a pack of gum like it explained everything. “But actually, I came for you.”

“For me?” I asked, folding my arms.

He straightened slightly, his smile softening. “Yeah. I’ve got an idea, but I need you to say yes first.”

My curiosity flared. “Say yes to what?”

He grinned, and for a moment, I swore his dimple deepened just for me. “Dinner under the stars. On your roof. Just you, me, and the kind of night that feels like magic.”

I blinked. “How do you know where I live?”

His cheeks flushed, but he didn’t miss a beat. “I walked you home once. Figured it out. I wanted to make sure the place was safe—for you.”

I raised an eyebrow. “And you thought I’d just agree?”

He shrugged, his grin widening. “I figured I’d be charming enough to make it hard for you to say no.”

I tried to fight the smile tugging at my lips, but I couldn’t. “Fine,” I said finally. “But if it’s ridiculous, you’re getting kicked off the roof.”

His laugh was warm and genuine, the sound wrapping around me like a promise. “Deal.”

A Night to Remember

The moment I reached the rooftop door, something inside me hesitated. What if this was too much? What if I wasn’t ready for someone like Will—someone who seemed to carry light in everything he did? But when I finally pushed open the door, the air caught in my throat.

The rooftop had transformed into a scene that belonged in a storybook. Strings of fairy lights crisscrossed the railings, casting a soft, golden glow. A picnic blanket lay in the center, surrounded by flickering candles. A bouquet of wildflowers sat in a vase beside the basket, and next to it was something I wasn’t expecting—a small wrapped box, tied neatly with a ribbon.

Will stood at the center of it all, waiting for me. When he turned, his mismatched eyes lit up like I was the only thing in the world worth looking at. “Lucky,” he said softly, his smile slow and deliberate. “I was starting to think you wouldn’t come.”

“You did all this?” I asked, stepping closer.

“For you,” he said simply, taking a few steps toward me. “Every day with you feels like a reason to celebrate.”

I blinked, caught off guard by the depth in his voice. “Will—”

“Wait,” he interrupted gently, holding up his hand. “Before you say anything, let me show you.”

Grand Gestures in Small Details

He reached for the bouquet of flowers, plucking a single bloom and tucking it behind my ear. His hand lingered briefly, brushing against my cheek, before he stepped back to admire his work. “Perfect,” he murmured, his gaze soft and unrelenting. “But then again, you always are.”

I swallowed hard, my chest tightening with emotions I couldn’t name. “You’re ridiculous.”

“And you’re beautiful,” he countered easily, his grin wide and unashamed. He motioned to the picnic blanket, extending his hand. “Come sit with me.”

I hesitated, but there was something in his presence that felt impossible to refuse. When I finally sat, he settled beside me and opened the basket with an air of quiet excitement.

“You talk about strawberries like they’re the best thing in the world,” he said, pulling out a small bowl of freshly cut fruit. “So, I found the sweetest ones I could. And these cookies,” he continued, setting out a plate of delicately decorated treats, “you mentioned them in passing once. I knew you’d never buy them for yourself, so I had to.”

“You remembered that?” I asked, my voice quieter now.

“I remember everything you say, Lucky,” he said simply. “Every word, every laugh, every moment. They’re my favorite things to carry with me.”

Under the Stars

As we ate, Will filled the night with stories—about fixing fences, helping neighbors, and planting gardens for people who couldn’t do it themselves. His words carried a lightness, but every now and then, they dipped into something deeper.

“I don’t do it for thanks,” he said at one point, his mismatched eyes catching the flicker of the candlelight. “I do it because people deserve to feel cared for. It’s the least I can give.”

“You make it sound so easy,” I said softly.

“It is,” he said, leaning slightly closer. “Especially when it’s for someone like you.”

The way he said it—without hesitation or doubt—made my heart ache. I looked down, unsure how to respond.

“Lucky,” he said, his voice low but certain. “Do you know why I call you extraordinary?”

I shook my head, unable to meet his gaze.

“Because you are,” he said, reaching out to take my hand. “You’re the strongest, most beautiful soul I’ve ever met. Everything you do—even the smallest things—are magic. And I’m the lucky one, because I get to see it.”

A Gift from the Heart

Before I could respond, Will reached for the small wrapped box. “This,” he said, holding it out to me, “is something I’ve been wanting to give you.”

I hesitated before taking it, my fingers brushing against his. Carefully, I untied the ribbon and opened the box to reveal a sleek, brand-new cellphone.

“Will,” I breathed, looking up at him. “I can’t—”

“You can,” he said firmly, his smile softening. “This is for us. For every time I can’t be right next to you but want to remind you that I’m still here. I’ve already added my number.”

Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes. “You’re impossible.”

“And yet,” he said with a teasing smile, “here I am. Always for you.”